MangaluruFIR has been lodged against BJP MLA Harish Poonja after a video purportedly accusing the Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah The video of “killing of 24 Hindus” went viral.
Poonja, who was elected as MLA from Belthangady in Dakshina Kannada district for the second time in the recent elections, made the controversial statement during a victory celebration at Belthangady on May 22. Audio and video clips of the speech, in which he strongly criticized Hindu activists campaigning for the Congress during the elections, had gone viral on social media.
He allegedly said in the speech, “You sought votes for Siddaramaiah, who killed 24 Hindu activists. You sought votes for the Congress, which is proposing to ban Bajrang Dal.”
Dakshina Kannada SP Dr Vikram Amathe confirmed that an FIR has been registered against Pooja at Belthangady police station based on a complaint by Mahila Congress activist Namita K Poojary. The complainant has sought action against BJP worker Jayant Kotian for organizing the event.
In the complaint, Namita has accused the MLA of spreading communal hatred and trying to disturb peace in the society. Mohd Riaz K, a member of the Puttur city municipal council, said the allegations were false and demanded a thorough probe into the incident.
The Congress has condemned the incident and urged the police to take action against the BJP MLA. KPCC office-bearer Pratibha Kulai said she would meet the IGP on Thursday and demand action against Poonja for allegedly speaking ill of another senior party leader and his family.
Poonja, who was elected as MLA from Belthangady in Dakshina Kannada district for the second time in the recent elections, made the controversial statement during a victory celebration at Belthangady on May 22. Audio and video clips of the speech, in which he strongly criticized Hindu activists campaigning for the Congress during the elections, had gone viral on social media.
He allegedly said in the speech, “You sought votes for Siddaramaiah, who killed 24 Hindu activists. You sought votes for the Congress, which is proposing to ban Bajrang Dal.”
Dakshina Kannada SP Dr Vikram Amathe confirmed that an FIR has been registered against Pooja at Belthangady police station based on a complaint by Mahila Congress activist Namita K Poojary. The complainant has sought action against BJP worker Jayant Kotian for organizing the event.
In the complaint, Namita has accused the MLA of spreading communal hatred and trying to disturb peace in the society. Mohd Riaz K, a member of the Puttur city municipal council, said the allegations were false and demanded a thorough probe into the incident.
The Congress has condemned the incident and urged the police to take action against the BJP MLA. KPCC office-bearer Pratibha Kulai said she would meet the IGP on Thursday and demand action against Poonja for allegedly speaking ill of another senior party leader and his family.